The Watersports Centre at Low Wood Bay is playing a homely role in preparing a team of dragon boat paddlers for an international festival in France this summer.
Paddlers for Life Windermere is a dragon boat team of cancer survivors and their supporters. In August 2026, they will be sending a team to take part in the International Breast Cancer Paddlers Commission (IBCPC) dragon boat festival in Aix-les-Bains.
Low Wood Bay Resort & Spa has been supporting the charitable organisation since 2007, when a chance meeting between a group of cancer survivors inspired the idea to set up a breast cancer dragon boat club on Windermere.
Sandra Barlow, who is still paddling with the squad at the age of 83, was one of those instrumental in the establishment of Paddlers for Life at Low Wood Bay.
The idea behind the enterprise was to bring patients and their supporters together to build back some strength and fitness and to reduce some of the side effects of cancer treatment, notably lymphoedema. Dragon boat paddling is highly beneficial to the mental wellbeing of cancer patients and survivors too.
It was also a chance to bring cancer survivors in Cumbria and Lancashire together to share experiences and make new friends and contacts.
“Low Wood Bay has played a very big part in helping us in all sorts of ways,” says Sandra. “Without their support, we wouldn’t have been able to establish a base and grow to the point now where we have the capacity and equipment to take part in big events like the dragon boat festival in France. We’re also very fortunate to have a home base where we can paddle in such a spectacular setting on Windermere.”
Dragon boat teams organised by breast cancer survivors have been growing in popularity since the movement began in Canada in 1996, with a worldwide network of dragon boat paddling clubs established for the benefit of cancer survivors.
Sandra adds: “We’re a friendly and inclusive bunch from all walks of life. There’s great camaraderie and friendship and dragon boat paddling is a great way to free the mind and give us all a better sense of wellbeing. When the squad goes to France this summer, we’ll give it our best but we’re not overly competitive. It’s the taking part that counts.”
The International Breast Cancer Paddlers Commission (IBCPC) now includes over 400 breast cancer survivor dragon boat teams from 42 countries all over the world.
The 2026 IBCPC dragon boat festival takes place on the shores of Lac du Bourget, France’s largest natural glacial lake. It’s part of the organisation’s drive to encourage the formation of dragon boat teams for breast cancer survivors, as well as increasing participation in recreational dragon boat paddling for healthier lifestyles.
International events such as this are also an opportunity to raise awareness about breast cancer and the potential to continue to live a full and active life after diagnosis and treatment.
The paddling action helps control fluid build-up in the lymph glands for those who have had lymph nodes removed as part of their cancer surgery. The activity has many other benefits too in terms of healthy exercise, support networks, fun and friendships.
Paddlers for Life Windermere is a registered Charitable Incorporated Organisation and its members meet every Sunday at Low Wood Bay Watersports Centre for dragon boat sessions between 10am and 3pm.
The club is open to anyone who has been diagnosed and treated for any cancer, as well as family and friends as supporting members. To find out more, visit https://paddlersforlife.co.uk/
Sandra adds: “We’re a friendly and inclusive bunch from all walks of life. There’s great camaraderie and friendship and dragon boat paddling is a great way to free the mind and give us all a better sense of wellbeing. When the squad goes to France this summer, we’ll give it our best but we’re not overly competitive. It’s the taking part that counts.”
The International Breast Cancer Paddlers Commission (IBCPC) now includes over 400 breast cancer survivor dragon boat teams from 42 countries all over the world.
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